Research Associate​/Senior Research Scientist and Policy Analyst

Senior Research Scientist & Policy Analyst

The New York State Council on Children and Families (CCF) is a small executive state agency that serves a unique role in state government. As a neutral agency, CCF facilitates the collaboration and alignment among the state's health, education, and human services systems. As a convener, innovator, and change agent among these state child-serving agencies, CCF addresses cross-systems issues informed by data and research to improve outcomes for all of New York's children and families.

Under supervision of the Deputy Director for Research, the Senior Research Scientist & Policy Analyst will provide support and direction to CCF data and policy analysis. They will contribute data interpretation to agency research and outcomes across systems to promote an effective and efficient system of services for children and families in New York State.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Interpreting data findings and their implications to inform policies, programs, and practices.
• Supporting exploration, application, and management of data related grant activities.
• Developing and managing CCF data and research products including the Kids' Well-Being Indicators Clearinghouse.
• Basic and advanced statistical analysis, study design, sample and power calculations, outcome interpretation, report writing, and publication.
• Using multivariate statistical methods to assess relations among data variables and program impacts and using findings to formulate policy and program recommendations with leadership guidance.
• Performing data collecting and sharing activities across national, state, and local entities, developing and executing short-term and long-term data usage and publication plans and research agendas, and advising executive management on opportunities to improve evidence-based practices.
• Engaging in research evaluating program quality, performance, and effectiveness to advise CCF and partner state agencies.
• Disseminating findings through the authorship of technical reports, research briefs, presentations, and papers.
• Representing CCF on meetings/conferences, work groups, taskforces, and advisory councils.
• Supervision of data and research staff as assigned.

Additional duties will be discussed in detail during the interview.

Minimum qualifications:

• A Bachelor's Degree and five years of post-degree professional experience in the area(s) of public health, epidemiology, public administration, education, child welfare, juvenile justice, psychology, social work, sociology, statistics/biostatistics, computer science, mathematics/applied mathematics, economics, program evaluation or other related areas; or a Master's degree in one of the above mentioned areas and four years of post-degree professional experience; or a Doctorate in one of the above mentioned areas and two years of post-degree professional experience.

Preferred qualifications:

Work experience involving development and implementation of data driven policies. Familiarity with SAS and SQL programming. Experience with Microsoft products, Geographical Information System (GIS) software, and Tableau preferred. Knowledge of children and family systems. Ability to analyze complex datasets, identify trends, and link program knowledge and policy implementation to statistical methodology, cost benefit analyses, and interpretation of results. Knowledge of quality improvement methodology, data analysis, and dashboard creation.

Excellent organizational skills, strong interpersonal skills and competencies in teamwork and collaborative research with analytical, critical thinking, and scientific writing and problem-solving skills. Experience presenting data findings and research results to technical and non-technical audiences.

Location:

52 Washington St., Rensselaer, NY 12144 OR 163 West 125th St, NY, NY 10027. Position may be available at either listed location, but the preferred location is Rensselaer.

Background Investigation Requirements:

• All prospective employees will be investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC), which includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee's employment application, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
  
  Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information, and may be required to pay any necessary fees.
• All prospective employees will be screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees will be required to pay any necessary fees.
• For Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) prospective appointees will be checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL)…